TRIBUTES TO 'FANTASTIC MAN' HALES

PAUL NICHOLLS paid tribute to "a fantastic man and a fantastic friend" after John Hales passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 85.

- DAVID YATES

Hales' four decades in racing saw his yellow and red colours carried to victory in many of jump racing's top races, most notably when the Nicholls- saddled Neptune Collonges got the better of the closest-ever Grand National finish to beat Sunnyhillboy by a nose.